RNR Dallas 13.1 2018

3.25.18

Take 5. 

I always appreciate this event, and, the job that RnR (now owned by Ironman) does with their events. 

This race would serve as a training run, and, would take place after a 103 mile ride on the trainer the previous day. 

For years, I've contemplated staying at the Omni Dallas for this event, and, this year we did it.  It was fun to be close to the start line, and, the boys were able to swim on Saturday evening. 

I was able to connect with several buddies prior to the race, and, many of us were in the same corral.

When our corral was released, everyone took off at their own paces, and, it appeared that Darryl and I would run together.  We paced together for about 5 miles, at which point he dropped back a bit.  Early on, I made the decision to walk hills and aid stations.  I slowed drastically from mile 6 on, and took it super easy, as mu legs were dead from Saturday's ride. 

I put up a 2:25:26 on this one...my 6th slowest half out of 29, but this one was all about getting the miles in. 

I skipped the beer and after party for this one and headed back to the hotel to shower up.  The family made our way to Bishop Arts for Eno's and Emporium pie before heading back to FunkyTown. 

The Cowtown 13.1 2018

2.25.18

The Cowtown - the home town race. My IMTX training began 1.23.18, so, by this time, my running volume had increased, including a few 10 milers. I certainly was better prepared than I was for Houston.

That said, Cowtown was meant to be only a training run, and, I'd been quite sick in the week heading into the race. As a result, expectations were low.

It was a cold morning, but, being a close race, I was able to sit in the Jeep at the race site to stay warm for a bit. I arrived just in time for the FWTRI photo.




Several of us were in the same starting corral, and, it just so happened that my buddy Jon was pacing at 2:10 (9:55 / mile). I figured I'd stay close to him for the day.

I got out to a good start. I was running by myself, slightly ahead of the pace group, without headphones, but, felt good. 

All was good until mile 9(ish), when I saw Jan near Main Street Hill. He was having some knee issues. I stopped to walk / jog with him up the hill. He finally told me to go ahead. But, by then, I was running out of gas. The next 3 miles would be slow with some longer walk stretches on Lancaster.

The best part of the day was seeing the family at Lancaster and University. It was just the boost I needed to finish strong.






I made my way back to the family to cheer in the rest of our racing buddies. It was a ton of fun.

Another great day at Cowtown.

Cowtown Marathon 5k 2018

2.24.18

We had a plan for this one...it didn't go as planned. Linds and Griffin planned to run the 10k Saturday morning, with Gage and I running the kids 5k after. Due to bad rain, Lindsi and Gage opted to sleep in, and I ran the adult 5k as a shakeout, to allow Griff to run his 10k.

We made our way to the race site and entered the corral together, waiting for our start.





We headed out and, at Lancaster, Griff headed left for the 10k and I headed right for the 5k. The plan was to take it easy(ish) on this one, as I had a bike ride in my training plan for later in the day and The Cowtown Half on Sunday. As per usual, the race was congested for a bit. I worked to find space to run until things finally thinned out. I passed a few friends along the way and felt good about my run. I headed back to the finishing area to wait for Griff, who put up another solid run. I'm so proud of that little dude!





We'd avoided heavy rain during the race, but, got poured on as we walked to the car.

Houston Marathon 13.1 2018

1.14.18

I registered for this event a year ago, as it was to be the destination marathon for FWRUNCO.  I registered for the full.

As life shifted, and my desire to train for a full marathon waned, I dropped from the full to the half.  This turned to be a good thing, as, I sustained a nasty ankle injury in November.  As a result, I would enter race weekend having run only 24 total miles in the previous 60 days.

We headed to Houston on Saturday morning, and, hit the expo for packet pick up.

Then, off to the hotel for check in.  We connected with Jan for dinner near the hotel, and, then back to the hotel for an early night to bed.  Jan was kind enough to pick me up for the race the next morning, so as to allow the other Smith's to sleep in.

We got to the race site super early on Sunday, and, stayed in the car as long as possible, as the temps were cold.  We finally built up the courage to head towards the starting area, only to find out that we could have been inside the convention center before the race.  A quick stop at the restrooms and then we headed towards the corrals.  The signage was extremely poor, and, I suspect we put in a mile and a half of walking from one corral to the next, only to miss the cutoff time for our corral...frustrating.

We found our way back to the next corral and waited.  Jan was running the full, and, my only goal was survival for this one.

Despite my lack of training, I felt surprisingly good. I maintained a sub 10:30 pace until mile 7, when I needed a restroom stop.  Things slowed slightly after that, but, all in all, I felt good about my day.  This was a great race and a good course.  I'll be back...hopefully in better running shape...

2017 Recap

1.15.2018

2017...a year of highs and lows.

Like most years, I entered the year hoping to eat better, drink less, train more, race less.

I'd raced 43 times in 2014, 52 times in 2015, 48 times in 2016...would this be the year I scaled back??

I began my Cowtown Ultra Training in late 16, and, was running more than ever. I found significant value in training with a group, especially for long Saturday runs.

I had a few new goals for 17: Run my 1st Ultra, run the Chicago Marathon (again!), and complete 2-3 70.3's.

January:

• I was training 5-6 days a week, including 3-4 runs. My long Saturday runs took me up to 20+ miles.
• My weight was good, and I felt light and healthy.
• I completed only one race, the Texas Half 13.1. This race was just 1 day after 1 19 mile training run. I had a decent day, but, vowed to never race with Mellew again (they have since gone out of business).
• For the first 3 weeks of the month, I booked 22, 26 and 40 miles on foot. I wasn't cycling much, but, I was swimming and weight training 2-3 times per week.

February:

• Life got heavy(er) in February, as Lindsi and I separated, I was carrying the weight of selling my mom's house and transitioning her in a senior living center, etc. As a result, my training suffered too.
• I made a late decision to run RnR NOLA, and was glad to spend time with good friends, and racing buddies. It was a quick trip, but, I had a decent day, and, set a (still standing) marathon PR. 
•  As per usual, I raced at the Fast N Furious Du, and had an "ok" day.
• Cowtown! A 5k run pushing a 6 year old on Saturday and a LONG 50k on Sunday, I might be "one and done" on the Ultras.

I was hopeful that my training and racing would improve in March.









March:

• A COLD day at St. Patrick's Day Tri.
• RnR Dallas 13.1
• My training improved slightly until the last week of the month, as I was moving

April:

• I finally got back to 5-6 days of training per week, including ramping up on the bike. My bike training had been lacking all year.
• a 5k, 10k, sprint TRI, and my 1st OLY TRI,
• I was getting back on track

May:

• My training continued to be strong, as I was gearing up for TRI FW.
• TRI FW! my 1st complete 70.3. Solid Swim, mediocre bike, slow run, but, done!
• Memorial Day 5k - a 7:54 pace, which would be my fastest of the year. The whole family did this one, including Gage!

June:

• The solid training continued.
• I bought a new bike...finally one that "fits".
• The Trinity 5000 series began. This would lead to 12 stright weeks of racing with freinds, and, my #1 racing buddy, Griffin.
• Buffalo Springs 70.3. My best 70.3 to date.

July:

• The T5000 series continued. It was a fun summer racing with friends and Griff.
• Mayor's TRI #5! frustrating swim, fast bike, decent run.
• The Wildfire Half...stop racing with Mellew...
• TRI Waco Sprint - a great race and fun with friends. My fastest bike split to date at over 20 mph.

August:

• My bike time was increasing, as we'd purchased a bike for Lindsi, so, she and I were riding some together, I was using Zwift and a smart trainer, and, I rode in 3 bike rallies, including HHH 100k.
• Old College Tri...my fastest time ever on this course.

September:

• Cox Labor Day Weekend 10k with Griff
• FWRC Labor Day 15k
• Disco X50 - a mess!! I had some work to do before Austin.
• The Rahr 5k...again!

October:

• I got my butt kicked at Chicago Marathon, but, had a blast with friends
• A really tough day in Austin, but, loved the support from Lindsi and the boys!!

November:

• At this point, I was officially out of shape. I put up a pathetic 2:27:39 at FW Marathon 13.1.
• I planned to run a 13.1 the following weekend at the Azle Lake Run, but, rolled my ankle badly at the race site. That injury would lead to several weeks of no running.

December:

• Although registered, I skipped RnR SA 13.1
• Griffin kicked my butt at the Candy Cane Speedway 5k.

• 2017 Event Total: 42
• 3  40+ mile bike rallie
• 18 5ks
• 2  10k's
• 1  15k's
• 1  duathlons
• 5  sprint triathlons
• 1  oly triathlons
• 1  X50 triathlons
• 3  HIM triathlons
• 4  half marathons
• 2  marathons
• 1  ultra marathons

• 2016 Event Total: 48
• 2015 Event Total: 52
• 2014 Event Total: 43
• 2013 Event Total: 21
• 2012 Event Total: 7

My hand will be forced in '18, as I've registered for IMTX. The serial racing will have to come to an end.

Speedway Candy Cane 5k

12.16.17

so...I'm out of shape and haven't been running due to my significant ankle sprain a month ago.  But, in an effort to run 1 more race before the end of the year, and, due to the fact that Griff wanted to run this one, we were TMS bound in the cold, wet conditions for this 5k.

This run is coordinated by The Cowtown Marathon, and, is well supported by the local schools' run clubs.

we arrived to really cold temps and drizzle.  We hung out a bit inside the garage, before heading to the start line at race time.

Griff and I lined up together near the front, and I thought we might run together.  Clearly, I had forgotten how fast he's become and how slow I'd become.  When the horn sounded, we ran together briefly, and the little dude took off.  I posted a decent 8:22 mile 1, but, my heart was racing, and, pathetically, I had to stop and walk to get it to slow down.  The rest of the race would be much of the same for me, as my HR would near 170 bpm, and I'd have to walk a bit.

Per Strava, I ran a 28:41, or, 9:24 pace.  At least a minute per mile slower than where I should be.  It will be a long road back to base fitness.

Griff absolutely crushed his run and set a new PR on a tough course.  He ran a 24:50, or, a 7:58 pace. That little dude is running a sub 8 pace...unbelievable.

That'll do it for 2017.  I'll take a couple of weeks to enjoy the holidays, and, then get after it with a cleanse and focused training for IMTX.

FW Marathon 13.1 2017

11.12.17

I last ran in this event in 2015.  I set a (then) PR that day, and knew what to expect...a flat bring course on the trinity trails.

I had been scheduled to race in Bronda's Du this day, but, was unsure as to whether tor not my bike would be ready in time.  Tri Dallas was kind enough to allow me to defer my entry, so, FW Marathon it is.

I entered this race incredibly out of shape, as my fitness level had been in decline since summer.  That, coupled with my off-season mindset, led me to keep my expectations low. 

Rich would be waling in his 1st 13.1 ever, and, if nothing else, I was excited to be there to support him. 

I connected with a few friends before the race...






































When the horn sounded, we were off.  My default pace for 13.1's has been about 9:30.  Early on, I realized I would be slower than that, as my legs felt heavy, and,  I was feeling a few aches and pains. 

 I was averaging between 10:05 and 10:40 for the first 7 miles, and, other than a quick pee stop, was fairly consistent.  Then, the wheels fell off.  My walks thru water stops got longer and longer.  Miles 9-12 were painfully slow with lots of walking.  About that time, I ran into Glenn, who was out for a training run.  He insisted that he run me in.  We ran and chatted, and, honestly, it was just what I needed, as I got back to a mid 10's pace. 

Hard to feel good about this one, but, done. I cheered Rich in, and hung with friends for a bit afterwards.